Basic Function: The cost accountant position is accountable for the ongoing analysis of process constraints, target costing projects, margin analysis, and tracing costs back to underlying activities. The cost accountant must also construct and monitor those cost-effective data accumulation systems needed to provide an appropriate level of costing information to management.

Principal Accountabilities:

Data Collection

Construct data accumulation systems for a cost accounting system

Create and review the controls needed for data accumulation and reporting systems

Perform cost accumulation tasks as a member of the target costing group

Desired Qualifications: 3+ years of accounting/finance experience, or 5+ years experience in industrial engineering. Also, a BA/BS degree, as well as excellent analysis skills, and the ability to collaborate with a multi-department team. Also helpful to have experience manipulating large databases.

Working Conditions: The cost accountant generally works in an office environment, but is expected to be highly familiar with all production operations, and to regularly visit all significant company operations.

Supervises: None

Commentary: Revise the job description to require the cost accountant to have either job costing or process costing experience, depending upon the manufacturing system that the company uses. Also, consider including a requirement to have knowledge of LIFO, FIFO, or standard costing, based on the system that the company is using. If the company operates in one or more foreign locations, consider including a language requirement. Finally, if the position is in an industry that requires considerable knowledge of operations, require that the person have previous experience within the industry.